Mayor Richard Daley

Mrs. O’Leary Exonerated

Abdon Moriarty Pallasch
March/April 1998

October 7, 2021 by 1 Comment

The truth would have made a great story: Catherine O'Leary, successful Irish immigrant businesswoman. She had five cows in her dairy and her husband Patrick was gainfully employed as a lathe-worker. As Catherine and Patrick slept on that dry October night in 1871, someone started a fire in their barn. The blaze grew into the Great Chicago Fire, killing 300 people, leaving … [Read more...] about Mrs. O’Leary Exonerated

March 25, 1920

On this day in 1920, the first “Black and Tans,” or auxiliary policemen, officially arrived in Ireland. 1919 saw the first declaration of an independent Irish Republic, which in turn led to IRA guerilla attacks on the Royal Irish Constabulary. The Royal Constabulary in turn hired Temporary Constables from 1920-1921. The force was established as a means of suppressing revolution, its main target the Irish Republican Army. However, the Black and Tans became known for their attacks on Irish civilians. The nickname “Black and Tan” comes from the color combination of the force’s uniforms, which reminded one Irish reporter of Kerry Beagles.

Mrs. O’Leary Exonerated

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Mayor Richard Daley

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